I never gave Lummi Island much thought before I saw that it was one of the 10 restaurants that the New York Times listed as “worth a plane ride for” in 2011. Sure, I’d seen Lummi Island on sign posts on drives between Vancouver and Seattle, and I knew that it was an inside joke …
After my day with Chef Alejandro Ruiz last year, I wasn’t sure what type of adventure I could organize that would top it. I had a few things I had wanted to do while I was in Oaxaca, and I emailed Alejandro to try to arrange something, but he was in the midst of some …
People poo poo Facebook. But nowadays, it’s the way I’m most connected to what’s going on in the things I’m interested in. I have followed Alinea & Next through Facebook for a while, and when I secured my reservation at Alinea, I started following the Aviary as well. It’s because of this that I learned …
When I made my food itinerary for Japan, it wasn’t with Michelin stars in mind. I’ve eaten a lot of great food in Japan, but on this trip, I wanted to experience the “best” sushi, tempura, yakitori and kaiseki to see if what people considered the best, tasted that much better than very good or …
Over a year ago, I took my parents to see the movie Jiro Dreams of Sushi. It was fantastic documentary filled with gorgeous food imagery that immediately inspired me to seek a similar sushi experience in Tokyo. I’ve been fortunate enough to eat some great sushi throughout my life but after watching the movie, I …
Imagine if you could spend not just an hour, but a whole day with an expert in the one thing in life you’re most passionate about. Imagine also that you can work alongside them and feel like you could ask them any question and that you’d get an answer to it. That, in a nutshell …
When I booked Barcelona, I already had a reservation to Tickets. And with confirmation in hand, I started immersing myself in Ferran Adria once again. Never did I allow myself to think that Ferran, or even his brother Albert for that matter would be in the building for my meal. We had the 7pm seating, …
My family needs “a reason” to travel together, which may come as a bit of a surprise considering I fill my thoughts with travel plans and can turn anything into a reason to go away. But outside of our reunions every other year to Japan, the Bando’s don’t travel a lot as a family. Last … Continue reading
I have changed a lot in the way I travel over the years. In the past, I made detailed lists of all the things I want to do while I’m away. And while I’m fairly good about pacing myself and not overdoing it, that usually leaves a lot of thing on my list undone, which … Continue reading
When opportunities present themselves, especially when they’re travel related, I usually jump without second thought. It’s because of this, that I’m in a cab crawling through traffic in Mexico City on my way to have a meal with Chef Rodolfo Castellanos. It’s my 3rd time in Mexico in 4 months, and this stop in CDMX … Continue reading
I am a fortunate person for so many reasons. I know this, but I also know that I work hard at making the most of my good fortune. I embrace positivity and jump as opportunities present themselves. And because of this, my good fortune seems to grow exponentially. One of the things I feel fortunate about … Continue reading
My visits to Oaxaca used to be packed with a full list of things to do, or more correctly of places I had to eat and drink at. But this year, that wasn’t the case. I’ll admit, there were a few places I’d seen over the year on @Oaxacking’s Instagram feed that I was curious about, … Continue reading
I am fortunate to be able to travel a lot. People wonder “how”? But it’s because I take opportunities and use them as excuses to book trips. After having an amazing September in Vancouver with cousin Alex, I knew I wanted to get back down to Nashville as soon as I could. So why not … Continue reading
I hate having my photo taken. I feel most of the time in posed shots, I’m awkward or have a fake smile. In most candids, I look angry (bad eyesight = squinting= angry 11’s on my forehead) and it takes me at least 10 tries to get a selfie that I’m somewhat satisfied with. Having … Continue reading
